Plus Size Wedding Photography Guide

Forget everything you've read about "slimming poses." That language is part of the problem. What we're really talking about is creating beautiful lines and shapes with the body, which is exactly what you do when posing any bride of any size. The principles are the same. The application just needs some adjustment.

The 3/4 turn is your best friend. Instead of standing square to the camera, have the bride turn about 45 degrees so one shoulder is closer to the lens. This instantly creates dimension and depth in the photo. It works for literally everyone, and it's the single most effective posing change you can make. I use it for 80% of my bridal portraits regardless of the bride's size, but it's especially powerful for curvy figures because it naturally narrows the visual profile.

Seated poses need special attention. When a bride sits down, everything compresses. Thighs spread, the torso shortens, and the dress bunches. None of this is bad, but you need to account for it. Have her sit on the edge of the seat rather than all the way back. Angle her knees to one side rather than straight ahead. If she's sitting on the ground, a side-sitting position with legs tucked to one side creates a much more elegant line than sitting cross-legged.

One more thing that makes a huge difference: the partner. When photographing the couple together, the partner's positioning affects how the bride looks in the image. Having the partner stand slightly behind with one arm around the bride's waist actually creates a visual frame that's incredibly flattering. The partner's body adds context and proportion. Some of the most beautiful plus size bridal portraits I've ever taken are couple shots where the partner's embrace naturally creates gorgeous composition.

Lens choice is probably the single biggest technical factor in how a body looks in a photograph. And most people outside of photography don't even know about it. Wide-angle lenses (anything below 50mm) distort whatever is closest to the camera, making it look larger. That's physics, not opinion. So when a photographer shoots a bridal portrait at 24mm from three feet away, whatever body part is nearest the lens will be exaggerated. This is unflattering for everyone. For plus size brides, it's a disaster.

My standard kit for plus size bridal portraits is an 85mm f/1.4 and a 135mm f/2.0. The 85mm is my workhorse. It compresses perspective just enough to be flattering without making the background look unnaturally flat. At f/2.0, you get gorgeous background blur that keeps all the attention on the bride. For tighter headshots and upper body portraits, the 135mm adds even more compression and produces the creamiest bokeh you've ever seen. I'll shoot full-length portraits on the 85mm and switch to the 135mm for anything waist-up.

Camera height matters just as much as lens choice. For most bridal portraits, I position my camera at the bride's eye level or just slightly above. Maybe 3-5 inches above her eyes. This subtle downward angle elongates the neck and naturally flatters the face. I never shoot from below for posed portraits. Below-chin angles create unflattering jaw and neck shadows, and they make everyone look heavier. The only exception is if I'm intentionally going for a dramatic, powerful look with the bride towering over the camera, but that's a creative choice we'd discuss beforehand.

For full-length shots, I crouch to about waist level and shoot at a very slight upward angle. This makes the legs look longer and the overall proportions more balanced. It's a tiny adjustment that most people won't consciously notice in the final image, but it makes the bride look taller and more statuesque. I learned this from a fashion photographer friend who shoots plus size models for a living, and it absolutely translates to wedding photography.

Depth of field plays a role too. At f/2.0 or f/2.8, you get beautiful subject separation from the background. But here's something people miss: that shallow depth of field also softens any areas of the body that aren't on the focal plane. If you focus on the bride's eyes and she's turned 3/4 to the camera, her back shoulder and hip fall slightly out of focus. It's a subtle softening effect that adds a dreamy quality to the portrait while drawing every eye straight to her face. I'm not saying use shallow DOF to "hide" anything. I'm saying it naturally creates a beautiful, editorial quality to portraits when used intentionally.

Lighting can make or break any portrait. For plus size brides, it's even more critical to get right because light literally sculpts how the body appears in a two-dimensional image. The good news is that the most flattering lighting patterns are also some of the easiest to set up.

Butterfly lighting (also called Paramount lighting) is my go-to for bridal portraits. Position your light source directly in front of and slightly above the bride's face. This creates a small shadow under the nose and under the chin, which defines facial features beautifully without creating harsh shadows on the body. You can achieve this with a large window, a reflector bouncing sunlight, or an off-camera flash with a large softbox. The key is that the light should be soft and broad. Small, hard light sources create defined shadows in every fold and crease of fabric and skin. Large, soft sources wrap around the body and minimize those shadows.

Avoid harsh side lighting for posed portraits. When light hits from 90 degrees to the side, it creates deep shadows on the opposite side of every curve. For brides with larger midsections or arms, this accentuates every contour. That's not inherently bad if you're going for dramatic editorial work, but most brides want soft, romantic portraits. If you're working with natural window light, don't position the bride directly beside the window. Move her a few feet away and angle her so the light wraps around more of her face and body. You want that light to spill across at least two-thirds of her, not split her face in half.

Backlighting is absolutely beautiful for plus size brides. Position the bride with the sun or a light source behind her, then expose for her face (or use a reflector to fill). The backlight creates a gorgeous rim of light around her silhouette, defines the shape of the dress, and produces that ethereal glow that makes every bride look angelic. I shoot backlit portraits at f/2.0, ISO 200-400, 1/500th of a second, and expose about 1 stop over what my meter suggests. That slight overexposure creates a bright, airy feel that's extremely flattering for skin. For more on wedding lighting techniques, check our dedicated guide.

One more lighting trick that's genuinely useful: don't light the whole body evenly when doing three-quarter or full-length portraits. Let the light fall off naturally so that it's brightest on the face and gradually dims toward the lower body. Your eye naturally goes to the brightest part of an image. If the face is the brightest element, that's where viewers look first, every time. This is basic portrait psychology, and it works wonders.

I always tell brides that the dress is a collaboration between them, their seamstress, and their photographer. What looks great on a hanger or in a mirror doesn't always translate perfectly to photographs, and vice versa. Understanding how different fabrics, silhouettes, and details photograph helps brides make more informed choices.

Fabric weight matters more than most brides realize. Heavier fabrics like mikado, duchess satin, and heavy crepe hold their shape and create clean, defined lines in photos. They don't wrinkle as much, they don't cling to undergarments, and they photograph with a beautiful structure. Lighter fabrics like chiffon, tulle, and organza photograph differently: they catch light beautifully and create movement in photos, but they can also cling in unflattering ways if there isn't enough structure underneath. The ideal for plus size brides is often a structured bodice in heavier fabric with a lighter, flowing skirt. Best of both worlds.

Silhouette-wise, A-lines and ball gowns are the most universally flattering in photographs because they define the waist and then flow outward, creating a beautiful shape from every angle. Mermaid and trumpet styles can look absolutely stunning on curvy brides too, but they require impeccable tailoring. If a mermaid dress doesn't fit perfectly, every single wrinkle and pull shows in photos. When it fits right, though? The curves are gorgeous.

Veils are secretly one of the best accessories for plus size bridal photography. A cathedral-length veil creates vertical lines that elongate the entire body. A blusher veil adds a romantic, soft frame around the face. And veils move beautifully in wind, which means those walking shots and outdoor portraits get an extra layer of drama and elegance. I've had multiple brides who were on the fence about veils and ended up choosing one specifically after I showed them how much it adds to photos.

Bouquet size and positioning matter too. A bouquet that's too small looks lost against a fuller figure. A bouquet that's too large blocks the dress. I recommend holding the bouquet at about belly button height with arms slightly bent. This creates that all-important gap between the arms and the body while giving the hands a natural purpose. If you're working with your florist, ask for a bouquet that's proportional to your frame. Don't be afraid to go big. A lush, full bouquet with trailing greenery or ribbons photographs beautifully and adds movement to every shot. Check our posing guide for more on bouquet positioning.

Here's something I wish more brides knew: the most stunning photos in any wedding gallery are usually the ones where the bride wasn't actively posing. Walking toward the camera. Laughing at something her partner whispered. Looking back over her shoulder with the veil trailing behind. These movement-based shots are incredibly flattering for all body types because the body is in a natural, relaxed state rather than a stiff posed position.

For walking shots, I use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/500th of a second at f/2.0, ISO 400-800 depending on light. I position myself about 20-30 feet ahead and have the couple walk toward me slowly, talking and laughing. I shoot in continuous mode and capture dozens of frames. The dress moves, the veil floats, the expression is genuine. These images consistently end up as favorites in the final gallery, and they naturally flatter every body type because the body is in motion rather than static.

Dancing shots during the reception are another goldmine. When a bride is spinning on the dance floor, nobody is thinking about their arm position or chin angle. They're genuinely happy, and that joy translates into photographs that are worth more than any perfectly posed portrait. I shoot reception dancing at ISO 1600-3200, f/2.0, 1/250th, usually with an off-camera flash dragged to capture motion blur in the background while the bride stays sharp. The energy in these shots is contagious.

Honestly, the brides who produce the best galleries are the ones who trust their photographer enough to let go of the anxiety about how they look in every frame. That trust starts with hiring someone who makes you feel seen and celebrated at every size. It's built during the engagement session or bridal portrait session. And by the wedding day, you're relaxed enough to just be yourself. That's when the real magic shows up in the photos. For information on building that rapport with an engagement session, see our dedicated guide.

Not every photographer who says they're "body positive" actually has the skills to back it up. Saying the right things on a website is easy. Knowing how to pose, light, and shoot a curvy bride with genuine expertise takes experience. So how do you separate the talk from the talent?

Start with the portfolio. Don't just look at the polished "best of" gallery on their website. Ask to see a complete wedding gallery from a plus size bride. Any photographer who has genuine experience will have this readily available. Look at the variety of poses, the consistency of flattering angles, and most importantly, whether the bride looks comfortable and happy. If the photographer hesitates or doesn't have a full gallery to show you, that tells you everything about their experience level with diverse body types.

During the consultation, pay attention to language. A skilled photographer won't use words like "slimming" or "hide" unless you bring them up first. They'll talk about creating beautiful lines, finding the best light, and capturing your personality. They'll ask what you love about yourself, not what you want to minimize. They'll discuss your preferred photography style and how they'll adapt their approach to you.

Ask specific questions: "How do you approach posing for different body types?" A good answer involves specific techniques like the ones in this guide. A bad answer is something vague like "I just make everyone look great" or, worse, "I can slim things in Photoshop." You want a photographer who has real, practiced techniques for flattering all body types, not someone who relies on post-processing to fix what they didn't get right in camera.

Finally, trust your gut. You're going to spend 8-10 hours with this person on one of the most important days of your life. You need to feel safe, seen, and genuinely valued. If something feels off during the consultation, if they seem uncomfortable when you ask about their experience with plus size brides, if they default to body-negative language, move on. There are incredible photographers out there who will make you feel like the absolute goddess you are. Don't settle for anything less. Check our tips on questions to ask your wedding photographer for a full consultation checklist.